Not ROFR thread - general discussion

[MsChristy12]

First trip in a studio after a 2 bedroom is difficult. How was this fine before? I am so spoiled now!

At least my morning coffee will taste better out of my new mug than the included throwaway cups (thank you MCO Starbucks!).
View attachment 972086

But if it's still Joffreys, no mug in this world can make it taste better! But agreed, coffee is more enjoyable in a mug that you like!

I love this. Sounds like a great time to me. Enjoy it while you can. I loved the way we did Disney when my son was younger, taking it slow absorbing all the vibes. Now that he is older it’s go go go and a such a whirlwind that I miss being able to soak it all in.

Next time I am bringing an umbrella!

The UV umbrella is a game changer! We got one for the last trip, Epcot is where we used it most.

Going to Disney with my teenaged cousins is the worst Rides only, no interest in shows, parades, eating at nice places or the cultural epcot presentations, all the things I prefer doing.

We can be friends! I like eating at nice places!

Friend of mine, her and her family are late Disney bloomers. For many years, she couldn't why my husband and I love it so much and keep going back. Then during the pandemic they brought their boys and her parents, then in one trip all of a sudden she's a hardcore disney lover for life. She asked me things that we like to do a the parks, favorite rides and our "strategies" and I'm like...we don't have any except virtual queues. They would get off a redeye flight, drop off luggage at the hotel and go straight into the parks and go on rides! I'm like... Umm no thank you! We are the complete opposite on Disney touring! We've been there so many times that, we do it leisurely now. They still rope drop and close the parks everyday and asked how come we don't do it anymore and that we aren't maximizing the value of the tix. I'm like, that's exhausting and we've done it so many times. You're like the newbie and we are the OG, you're late in the game girl! Whatever you're doing now, we've done them all in the past 20 yrs. We also stay on property and you don't, so you don't even get magic hour (sorry I can't remember what they call it now, and I like magic hour better anyway! ) or extended hours. Whenever we do chat, her go go go plans exhaust me just listening to it.

 

[atthebeachclub]

But if it's still Joffreys, no mug in this world can make it taste better! But agreed, coffee is more enjoyable in a mug that you like!

Not Joffrey’s! I always bring my own grounds and preferred filters. And most importantly, a Brita to filter the water.

 

[MsChristy12]

Not Joffrey’s! I always bring my own grounds and preferred filters. And most importantly, a Brita to filter the water.

 

[juliebee]

We’re going to try the glass art tonight at Epcot I think. Went to Blizzard Beach and was talked into Summit Plummet. It is insane. Worst wedgie ever!

Got back to our room and was surprised they changed our sheets and towels. I have no idea why. We’re staying on points and have only been here two nights so far.

Hope you will give a report on the glass art! I'm hoping to do it next time we are at WDW. It looked fun!

 

[atthebeachclub]

Tonight we rode Guardians (the very best! I yelled and grinned so much my teeth were dry!), had fish and chips, got a maple syrup lollipop in Canada, did the glass art in Germany, and watched part of Luminous. The fireworks make me so happy! Walked all around. Rode Gran Fiesta and checked out Mexico after hours. Kid soaked herself at Journey of Water, and then she wanted a picture with Walt (her hero, after a book report or two). Then monorailed back.

Nearly 20k steps two days in a row in this heat is a lot of walking for a seven year old! She’s been a real trooper, but she also loves being here.

We barely did in park rides. It’s a great reminder how much we love Epcot. It’s just a great place to walk around, even with so many closed rides at the moment.

Also, I feel like I see SO many very kind Disney loving people here every trip. It really does bring out the good in a lot of people. The patience folks show my kid in pin trading, and the generosity at times is so surprising and wonderful. And I feel like so many people here are hopeful. It’s such a contrast to regular life and makes me so happy to be here.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Tonight we rode Guardians (the very best! I yelled and grinned so much my teeth were dry!), had fish and chips, got a maple syrup lollipop in Canada, did the glass art in Germany, and watched part of Luminous. The fireworks make me so happy! Walked all around. Rode Gran Fiesta and checked out Mexico after hours. Kid soaked herself at Journey of Water, and then she wanted a picture with Walt (her hero, after a book report or two). Then monorailed back.

Nearly 20k steps two days in a row in this heat is a lot of walking for a seven year old! She’s been a real trooper, but she also loves being here.

We barely did in park rides. It’s a great reminder how much we love Epcot. It’s just a great place to walk around, even with so many closed rides at the moment.

Also, I feel like I see SO many very kind Disney loving people here every trip. It really does bring out the good in a lot of people. The patience folks show my kid in pin trading, and the generosity at times is so surprising and wonderful. And I feel like so many people here are hopeful. It’s such a contrast to regular life and makes me so happy to be here.

I’m glad your family is having a great trip!

 

[Girlstar30]

But if it's still Joffreys, no mug in this world can make it taste better! But agreed, coffee is more enjoyable in a mug that you like!


The UV umbrella is a game changer! We got one for the last trip, Epcot is where we used it most.


We can be friends! I like eating at nice places!

Friend of mine, her and her family are late Disney bloomers. For many years, she couldn't why my husband and I love it so much and keep going back. Then during the pandemic they brought their boys and her parents, then in one trip all of a sudden she's a hardcore disney lover for life. She asked me things that we like to do a the parks, favorite rides and our "strategies" and I'm like...we don't have any except virtual queues. They would get off a redeye flight, drop off luggage at the hotel and go straight into the parks and go on rides! I'm like... Umm no thank you! We are the complete opposite on Disney touring! We've been there so many times that, we do it leisurely now. They still rope drop and close the parks everyday and asked how come we don't do it anymore and that we aren't maximizing the value of the tix. I'm like, that's exhausting and we've done it so many times. You're like the newbie and we are the OG, you're late in the game girl! Whatever you're doing now, we've done them all in the past 20 yrs. We also stay on property and you don't, so you don't even get magic hour (sorry I can't remember what they call it now, and I like magic hour better anyway! ) or extended hours. Whenever we do chat, her go go go plans exhaust me just listening to it.

I remember when I met my wife one of the first things i asked was, "Sooo do you like Disney?"

She had only gone once for grad night, She had no idea that would become her life After dragging her to D23, She told me she had no idea that Disney was like this whole lifestyle, I thought people just go on rides

So i like going with newbies because I like playing tour guide and seeing them like it brings me joy, but then when I want to leave and they get sticky because they got used to their tour guide, I dont like it anymore I got my cousin into pin trading hardcore which is funny cuz now im not so much into pin trading and all about ornaments. DVC has def opened up a bunch of new ornaments for me, I now collect the ones from the different DVC resorts!

I dont rope drop, I dont do early hours or extra magic hours. Our next vgc trip i have Tenaya Spa booked and then I'll be making an appearance in Disneyland solely for wondrous journeys and paint the night because my best friend keeps telling me I have to see it, its the greatest thing Disneyland ever did and she would wait 5 hours to see it I have been to Disneyland/DCA so many times I am most looking forward to hopefully getting a world of color view room and watching it from our balcony

 

[MsChristy12]

I remember when I met my wife one of the first things i asked was, "Sooo do you like Disney?"

She had only gone once for grad night, She had no idea that would become her life After dragging her to D23, She told me she had no idea that Disney was like this whole lifestyle, I thought people just go on rides

So i like going with newbies because I like playing tour guide and seeing them like it brings me joy, but then when I want to leave and they get sticky because they got used to their tour guide, I dont like it anymore I got my cousin into pin trading hardcore which is funny cuz now im not so much into pin trading and all about ornaments. DVC has def opened up a bunch of new ornaments for me, I now collect the ones from the different DVC resorts!

I dont rope drop, I dont do early hours or extra magic hours. Our next vgc trip i have Tenaya Spa booked and then I'll be making an appearance in Disneyland solely for wondrous journeys and paint the night because my best friend keeps telling me I have to see it, its the greatest thing Disneyland ever did and she would wait 5 hours to see it I have been to Disneyland/DCA so many times I am most looking forward to hopefully getting a world of color view room and watching it from our balcony

Oh yeah...when I tell people about the Disney nerds stuff, like D23 they are like...whaaat? Then I'm like...oh you think only your anime and comics are special and get cons all over year around? j/k/ I didn't say that, but I did explain to some people that basically this is the Disney comic con so they can easily understand what it's about.

I do like introducing my friends that like Disney to new stuff, but they aren't as hardcore as we are. We haven't actually gone on any trips or been to the parks w/ newbies or non Disney people. Not that we avoid it, just haven't happened. I think we have to wait until some of our friend's kids get older (at least in grade school), then maybe we can coordinate a trip or two. If that happens, I'll let my husband be the tour guide

I just can't do rope drop anymore and we really don't feel the need to, unless we got one of the earliest groups for virtual queue. That happened to us 2x on ROTR! I was like...OMG we got it! Oh shizzz it's boarding group 3!! get up hurry up we gotta get to the park! We didn't get to watch World of Color last year...the stupid weather! (in Feb). I actually really wanted to watch it because it's been a minute. Now because we are going to FL 3x within the 12 months, the hubs doesn't care to go back to Disneyland and I guess that's fine w/ me! LOL!

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I just can't do rope drop anymore and we really don't feel the need to, unless we got one of the earliest groups for virtual queue. That happened to us 2x on ROTR! I was like...OMG we got it! Oh shizzz it's boarding group 3!! get up hurry up we gotta get to the park!

The boarding group lottery is rough, especially for west coasters with family who are not early birds. I remember thinking “ok, I want to wait like 1/2 a second so I don’t get the first 20 groups, but if I wait a whole second then I might get shut out.”

@Girlstar30 — paint the night is a fun parade but if you or your wife have strong attachment to MSEP, I would not get your hopes up too high. It’s a different vibe and doesn’t channel the same feels as MSEP (and TDL’s Dreamlights) does for me.

 

[MsChristy12]

The boarding group lottery is rough, especially for west coasters with family who are not early birds. I remember thinking “ok, I want to wait like 1/2 a second so I don’t get the first 20 groups, but if I wait a whole second then I might get shut out.”

@Girlstar30 — paint the night is a fun parade but if you or your wife have strong attachment to MSEP, I would not get your hopes up too high. It’s a different vibe and doesn’t channel the same feels as MSEP (and TDL’s Dreamlights) does for me.

I can't remember if that was our first time using vq or not, but I remmebered looking at it, not even sure if we got it because I needed to refresh the page again, then it says boarding group 3 and needed to be there within the hour, I was like whaaaat?! because I didn't know they could be THAT early! But I wouldn't risk waiting 1/2 a second though, I know I can't because I will eff it up and end up not getting anything!

 

[VGCgroupie]

The boarding group lottery is rough, especially for west coasters with family who are not early birds. I remember thinking “ok, I want to wait like 1/2 a second so I don’t get the first 20 groups, but if I wait a whole second then I might get shut out.”

@Girlstar30 — paint the night is a fun parade but if you or your wife have strong attachment to MSEP, I would not get your hopes up too high. It’s a different vibe and doesn’t channel the same feels as MSEP (and TDL’s Dreamlights) does for me.

I agree paint the night is a completely different type of parade

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I can't remember if that was our first time using vq or not, but I remmebered looking at it, not even sure if we got it because I needed to refresh the page again, then it says boarding group 3 and needed to be there within the hour, I was like whaaaat?! because I didn't know they could be THAT early! But I wouldn't risk waiting 1/2 a second though, I know I can't because I will eff it up and end up not getting anything!

If you think it’s bad from your Disney resort, it’s even worse when you’re trying to do it from your house an hour from Disneyland.

If you aren’t a late riser or 1-2 counties away, the single digit BGs are really sweet because the lines are usually really short for the first 10 groups called.

We will be there towards the end of summer and I am wondering if they will bring back BGs for Test Track (if it’s open).

 

[MsChristy12]

the single digit BGs are really sweet because the lines are usually really short for the first 10 groups called.

Yep that's exactly why we were also very happy we got the early group. My husband was like, yeah let's go on that thing before it breaks down, then it might or might not come back up! That trip, I had to allot 2 days for studios specifically just in case we don't get any bgs on day 1. Or like my husband said, could be down for hours. That almost happened on day 2 and it came back up just right before park closed.

 

[MsChristy12]

If you think it’s bad from your Disney resort, it’s even worse when you’re trying to do it from your house an hour from Disneyland.

And that's quite brave!! I don't know if I can deal w/ that anxiety! I would definitely want to be somewhere in Anaheim already maybe down the street at CBTL getting caffeinated while doing that!

 

[Girlstar30]

Oh yeah...when I tell people about the Disney nerds stuff, like D23 they are like...whaaat? Then I'm like...oh you think only your anime and comics are special and get cons all over year around? j/k/ I didn't say that, but I did explain to some people that basically this is the Disney comic con so they can easily understand what it's about.

I do like introducing my friends that like Disney to new stuff, but they aren't as hardcore as we are. We haven't actually gone on any trips or been to the parks w/ newbies or non Disney people. Not that we avoid it, just haven't happened. I think we have to wait until some of our friend's kids get older (at least in grade school), then maybe we can coordinate a trip or two. If that happens, I'll let my husband be the tour guide

I just can't do rope drop anymore and we really don't feel the need to, unless we got one of the earliest groups for virtual queue. That happened to us 2x on ROTR! I was like...OMG we got it! Oh shizzz it's boarding group 3!! get up hurry up we gotta get to the park! We didn't get to watch World of Color last year...the stupid weather! (in Feb). I actually really wanted to watch it because it's been a minute. Now because we are going to FL 3x within the 12 months, the hubs doesn't care to go back to Disneyland and I guess that's fine w/ me! LOL!

That's a great way to describe D23 as comic con for Disney lovers! I didnt tell my wife any celebrities would be there, I wanted it to be a surpise!

When the Rock came out first to promote Moana she couldnt believe it! At that expo last year was the first time she turned to me and said, I see it now, i get why people get obsessed with Disney! That made my heart soar! Lucky for me because we started saving and shopping for DVC 6 months later I really like how they did it last year except the ridiculous virtual queue for the shopping and having to wake up in the middle of the night to try when we had a full day at the expo to be awake for, what a disaster! I go every time, i miss the sorcerer ticket they used to offer, im glad I got to experience that I'll never forget it!

But back on topic, yes girl, seems like you're a huge super fan like us, after you find out about your medical stuff and have everything in order, I do not think you will regret DVC! This is a dream come true for a Disney fan!

 

[disneylandtour]

Not Joffrey’s! I always bring my own grounds and preferred filters. And most importantly, a Brita to filter the water.

I think many of us here keep one unusual (i.e. eccentric) item in our owner's lockers. The best one I've heard about is a shower head and wrench, to undo some of the low-flow heads at the resort. I don't keep that in a locker. But I do have something else. So I'm just throwing this out there in case anyone's interested - I keep a small grinder and a Breville bambino espresso maker in my owners locker.

I'm OK with the coffee drinks at Riviera. I'm kinda OK with the coffee drinks in the lobby at the Contemporary. But beyond that, a decent latte is a real weak link in offerings at most of the DVC locations. (And honestly, I'd be mostly OK with Starbucks--but most espresso drinks at DVC areas aren't even up to Starbucks levels.)

This was a few years back, just post-pandemic, when I was sitting in Roaring Fork, drinking one of their push-button, automated lattes, and I thought: how much would it be to get a decent-ish espresso maker. And then, on Amazon, the Bambino Plusses were 30% off. (I think this was right before Mother's Day, a few years back, when all of the Breville stuff was on sale. But the sale, as I recall, lasted through most of June.). And then I did the math.

On an average day at Disney I would buy one to two lattes, most of which weren't great. These are around $6 each. So $6 some days, $12 on others. So I put it at $9 on average.

Then I multiplied it out by a very conservative estimate of 40 days per year on property. So $360 on lattes in DVC quick serve areas.

Then I looked at the hard costs: the Bambino, as best I recall, was $320. I found a cocinare portable (re-charable) grinder for $150. I had plenty of extra espresso tools at home. (I've been at this for a while.). So hard costs were $470. The espresso maker and grinder should make it at least four years. so $117 per year over four years. And maybe they last longer, the grinder in particular. I had the espresso maker shipped from Amazon to Disney for my next trip--again to CCV--and I carried the grinder in my carry-on luggage as it's powered by a rechargeable lithium battery. It came with a carrying case (it's made for travel) and easily fit in my backpack.

Then there's the cost of a second owner's locker, which is $180 per year with unlimited visits. (Also the second locker holds a lot more than the Bambino and grinder.). The Bambino and grinder take up maybe 55% or 60% of the locker. So I can now leave a little more gear in Florida--umbrella, rain jacket, etc.

Anyway $118 plus $180 = $298 per year. Add in milk (from the convenience store in the lobby) plus beans from the roasters near my house and it's very close to $360 for superior coffee per year. (I keep waiting to be stopped at airport security as flying with coffee beans can be a bit suspicious, but it's never happened.). And I can make lattes in my room. And drink it on the balcony without going to the lobby.

I've since also purchased a storage bag for the espresso maker, which makes packing up at the end of a trip easier.

This is probably not for everyone, but I think it's fabulous, especially for days that I mostly hang around the resort.

 

[JackosinDIS]

I think many of us here keep one unusual (i.e. eccentric) item in our owner's lockers. The best one I've heard about is a shower head and wrench, to undo some of the low-flow heads at the resort. I don't keep that in a locker. But I do have something else. So I'm just throwing this out there in case anyone's interested - I keep a small grinder and a Breville bambino espresso maker in my owners locker.

I'm OK with the coffee drinks at Riviera. I'm kinda OK with the coffee drinks in the lobby at the Contemporary. But beyond that, a decent latte is a real weak link in offerings at most of the DVC locations. (And honestly, I'd be mostly OK with Starbucks--but most espresso drinks at DVC areas aren't even up to Starbucks levels.)

This was a few years back, just post-pandemic, when I was sitting in Roaring Fork, drinking one of their push-button, automated lattes, and I thought: how much would it be to get a decent-ish espresso maker. And then, on Amazon, the Bambino Plusses were 30% off. (I think this was right before Mother's Day, a few years back, when all of the Breville stuff was on sale. But the sale, as I recall, lasted through most of June.). And then I did the math.

On an average day at Disney I would buy one to two lattes, most of which weren't great. These are around $6 each. So $6 some days, $12 on others. So I put it at $9 on average.

Then I multiplied it out by a very conservative estimate of 40 days per year on property. So $360 on lattes in DVC quick serve areas.

Then I looked at the hard costs: the Bambino, as best I recall, was $320. I found a cocinare portable (re-charable) grinder for $150. I had plenty of extra espresso tools at home. (I've been at this for a while.). So hard costs were $470. The espresso maker and grinder should make it at least four years. so $117 per year over four years. And maybe they last longer, the grinder in particular. I had the espresso maker shipped from Amazon to Disney for my next trip--again to CCV--and I carried the grinder in my carry-on luggage as it's powered by a rechargeable lithium battery. It came with a carrying case (it's made for travel) and easily fit in my backpack.

Then there's the cost of a second owner's locker, which is $180 per year with unlimited visits. (Also the second locker holds a lot more than the Bambino and grinder.). The Bambino and grinder take up maybe 55% or 60% of the locker. So I can now leave a little more gear in Florida--umbrella, rain jacket, etc.

Anyway $118 plus $180 = $298 per year. Add in milk (from the convenience store in the lobby) plus beans from the roasters near my house and it's very close to $360 for superior coffee per year. (I keep waiting to be stopped at airport security as flying with coffee beans can be a bit suspicious, but it's never happened.). And I can make lattes in my room. And drink it on the balcony without going to the lobby.

I've since also purchased a storage back for the espresso maker, which makes packing up at the end of a trip easier.

This is probably not for everyone, but I think it's fabulous, especially for days that I mostly hang around the resort.

That’s certainly dedication to a decent coffee!

 

[disneylandtour]

That’s certainly dedication to a decent coffee!

Everyone has their "thing" that they need. Decent coffee is one of mine. It takes about 10 minutes to set up, about 20 minutes to wipe down, clean up and repack at the end of every trip. It's lovely. There have been many fantastic mornings on balconies--at BLT, looking out at Bay Lake, at AKV, watching whatever animals happen buy, in the longhouses watching people head off to the park. Again, probably not for everyone. But for me, completely worth it. And I'm guessing there might be one or two people here who now look into the option. And probably dozens more who think this is totally nuts.